Allergic conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva caused by an allergic reaction — typically to pollen, dust mites or animal dander. It causes itchy, red, watery eyes, and affects up to one in five people in the UK each year. A private specialist assessment costs from around £200, and most patients are controlled with a stepped plan of UK-licensed antihistamine, mast-cell stabiliser or dual-action eye drops, with short supervised steroid courses reserved for severe flare-ups.
What is allergic conjunctivitis?
The conjunctiva is the thin, clear membrane covering the white of the eye and the inside of the eyelids. In allergic conjunctivitis, contact with an allergen triggers mast cells in the conjunctiva to release histamine, producing the classic triad of itching, redness and watering in both eyes. It is often accompanied by sneezing and a runny nose during hay-fever season.
There are several forms, and telling them apart matters because treatment differs:
- Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis — the most common form, driven by tree, grass or weed pollen in spring and summer.
- Perennial allergic conjunctivitis — year-round symptoms, usually from dust mites, mould or pets.
- Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) — a severe form affecting mainly children and teenagers, which can involve the cornea and threaten vision if untreated.
- Atopic keratoconjunctivitis — a chronic adult form associated with eczema.
- Giant papillary conjunctivitis — a reaction to contact lens wear.
Symptoms
- Itching — the hallmark of allergy; the more you rub, the worse it gets
- Redness and watering in both eyes
- Swollen, puffy eyelids — especially on waking
- Stringy, mucous discharge rather than sticky pus
- Grittiness and light sensitivity in more severe forms
Pain, marked light sensitivity or blurred vision are not typical of simple allergy and need prompt specialist review. If you have these symptoms now, see our urgent advice page.
Itchy, red eyes every summer — or all year round? A slit-lamp assessment confirms the diagnosis and gets you on the right treatment, fast.
Book an allergy eye assessmentTreatment options
Treatment follows a stepped approach, starting with allergen avoidance and simple measures and escalating only as far as your symptoms need. All medicines we prescribe are licensed for use in the UK.
For children and teenagers with severe vernal disease, ciclosporin eye drops are a licensed steroid-sparing option — see our dedicated Verkazia ciclosporin for vernal keratoconjunctivitis page. Adults with overlapping severe dry eye may benefit from Ikervis ciclosporin drops.
What happens at your appointment
- History — when symptoms occur, triggers, contact lens wear, eczema or asthma, and what you've already tried.
- Slit-lamp examination — the conjunctiva, eyelids, tear film and cornea are examined under magnification to confirm allergy and grade its severity.
- Ruling out mimics — dry eye, blepharitis and infective conjunctivitis can all look similar; the treatment for each is different.
- Your treatment plan — a stepped, written plan with any prescription issued the same day, plus practical allergen-avoidance advice.
- Follow-up if needed — severe or corneal-involving disease is reviewed until controlled; most straightforward cases don't need routine review.
What to expect on treatment
First few days
Antihistamine and dual-action drops start relieving itch within minutes to days. Cold compresses ease swelling. Avoid eye rubbing — it releases more histamine.
Weeks 1–2
Mast-cell stabilisers reach full effect after regular use. Symptoms should be noticeably better; if not, step up at review.
Season-long
For seasonal disease, starting drops two weeks before your pollen season and continuing through it gives the best control.
Long term
Perennial and severe forms are managed with the lowest effective step. VKC in children is monitored until it settles, usually by the late teens.
Cost of private allergy eye care
A consultant assessment costs from around £200 (indicative), including slit-lamp examination and your treatment plan. Prescriptions are charged at pharmacy rates; follow-up reviews, where needed, are typically less than the initial consultation. We are recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna, WPA and others — see all our fees on the prices page.